Atlantic: Tropical Storm Claudette was downgraded to a post-tropical low pressure system before reaching Newfoundland on July 14, weather reports said.
U.S. Gulf: High water levels in the Gulf of Mexico continued to negatively impact transit last week, and estimates for a return to normal levels were pushed back once again.
Previous forecasts called for a crest on July 19, though updated predictions now report a 15.5-foot crest at New Orleans on or around July 21. Tow-length restrictions are in place until levels normalize, and delays in pickup and drop-off were reported for the week.
Navigation delays of 36-48 hours were cited at Industrial Lock last week, and wait times of 12-14 hours were reported at Bayou Sorrel Lock. Waits at Algiers Lock were reported at 6-8 hours, and boats transiting Port Allen Lock waited approximately 2-4 hours for the week.
Brazos River flows slowed to 2.0 mph as of July 16, reduced from 2.4 mph one week earlier. Tow-length and daylight-running restrictions remained in effect, which shippers expected the Corps to relax once currents consistently measure south of the 2.0 mph mark. Delays at Brazos Lock were reported at an average of five boats queued for the week.
River levels continued to rise at Morgan City, registering 6.2 feet of depth on July 16. Forecasts called for levels to hold above 6.0 feet for at least five days. Towing restrictions slowed transits, shippers said.
Intermittent daylight closures were extended at Calcasieu Lock through Sept. 15. Service outages are possible from 5:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Dewatering, repair, and maintenance operations will shut down Bayou Sorrel Lock Aug. 15 through Oct. 15. Shippers are bracing for stiff delays during this time, and traffic will detour through Algiers Lock.
Lower Mississippi River: The Lower Mississippi remained under an Extreme High Water Safety Advisory for Miles 303-869 last week. Tow-power restrictions mandated a minimum 280 horsepower per barge on a maximum 36-barge tow, and vessels transiting the Memphis and Vicksburg areas were limited to daylight-only passage on tows of 110 feet or more.
Levels rose to 37.5 feet at Baton Rouge on July 16. The predicted crest was pushed back to July 21, with an expected depth of 37.7 feet. Tows were limited to 240 horsepower per barge for southbound transit, with lengths capped at 36 barges per tow. Shippers warned of extra pickup and drop-off delays in the area.
Mat-laying and weir dike construction is scheduled through Oct. 8 at Mile 643, prompting intermittent daytime closure warnings. Similar activities are scheduled for Mile 893 on Sept. 5-12, Mile 714 on Sept. 17-22, and Mile 418 on Nov. 11-17.
Weir construction at Big Island Bendway is expected to run through Sept. 6, shippers said. The site will be closed during daylight hours, opening overnight for queued traffic to pass before construction resumes the next day.
Upper Mississippi River: Elevated water levels and flows continued to slow traffic in the St Louis area, although some claimed the mass of accumulated drift plaguing the region in recent weeks has lessened.
Nighttime transit remained off limits through St. Louis Harbor for tows longer than 600 feet, a restriction expected to remain in place until levels drop below 25.0 feet. The St. Louis gauge showed 33.9 feet and falling on July 16.
Navigation delays of 4-6 hours were reported at Lock 27 for the week, and shippers pegged Lock 20 wait times at 1-2 hours. Tows were limited to a maximum of 12 barges above Wood River.
Illinois River: Illinois River levels remained elevated last week, forcing transit issues relating to bridge clearance and swift currents. Navigation was once again